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• Converting from hex string to varbinary and vice versa
  Thu, 03 Jul 2008
  Converting hexadecimal values to varbinary and vice versa is now easier using the XQuery functionality available from SQL Server 2005. The code samples below show how to perform the conversion(s): -- Convert hexstring value in a variable to varbinary: declare @hexstring varchar(max); set @hexstr...
  
• Converting from Base64 to varbinary and vice versa
  Tue, 01 Jul 2008
  Converting Base64 values to varbinary and vice versa is now easier using the XQuery functionality available from SQL Server 2005 onwards. The code samples below show how to perform the conversion: -- Convert Base64 value in a variable to varbinary: declare @str varchar(20); set @str = '3qAAAA==';...
  
• Differences between ISNULL and COALESCE
  Fri, 27 Jun 2008
  I came across a question in the SQL Server MVP newsgroup recently about ISNULL and COALESCE usage. COALESCE basically translates to CASE expression and ISNULL is a built-in implemented in the database engine. Both ISNULL and COALESCE can be used to get the same results but there are some differences...
  
• Spool operators in query plan...
  Thu, 30 Aug 2007
  I came across a question in the relationalserver.performance newsgroup where a customer was wondering about the spools seen in a recursive query execution plan. The query is shown below: USE Northwind;Go WITH EmpChart AS(SELECT EmployeeId, ReportsTo, 1 AS treelevelFROM EmployeesWHERE (Employees.Repo...
  
• SQL Server 2005 SP2 Re-release and post fixes
  Wed, 11 Apr 2007
  Bob Ward from PSS has a wonderful blog article that explains the details about the re-release of SQL Server 2005 SP2 and fixes posted later. This is a must read for anyone deploying SQL Server 2005 SP2 to understand the various hotfixes, GDRs and procedures. Please visit his link for more details. S...